Stem cutting mechanism for tobacco machines



- Oct. 11, 1932.

C. W. GOOCH, JR

STEM CUTTING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO MACHINES Filed Aug. 6. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 11, 1932. c. w. GOOCH, JR

STEM CUTTING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO MACHINES Filed Aug. 6. 1930 lil lll .talllllmul IHlIIlllllll;

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' STEM CUTTING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO MACHINES Filed Aug. 6, 1930 4 Sheets5heet 5 llllllllllllllll W num 0 ISnnentor UZQZZarizcWGaadZfi EB M M Gttomeg Oct. 11, 1932- c. w. GOOCH, JR 1,881,495

STEM CUTTING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO MACHINES Filed Aug. 6, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Zhwentot,

M attorney Patented Oct. 11, 1932 ETED STATES PATENT. OFFICE CLAIBORNE VJ. GOOCI-I, J 11., OF LYNCHBU RG, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE COMPANY, OF LYNGHBURG, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE STEM CUTTING MECHANISM FOR TOBACCO MACHINES Application filed August 6, 1930. Serial No. 473,426.

The present invention relates to a stem cutting mechanism for a tobacco stemming machine. machines constructed and used heretofore the machine takes out the entire stem from the tobacco leaves. It is, however, sometimes desirable and economical to leave a certain amount of the stem in the tip of the leaves and it is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a mechanism for cutting the stem at a certain predetermined distance from the butt or the tip of the leaves and to leave in no stem over a certain size. Therefore, the present invention provides a mechanism for cutting or creasing stems before the stemming operation at any desired distance from the butt ends. A further object of this invention resides in an automatic timing device controlled by a feeler for auto- 29 matically regulating the distance behind the grippers at which the knife is caused to crease the stem at a predetermined distance from the tips of the leaves. A still further object resides in the construction of a feeler for the tobacco leaves which actuates the timing mechanism and sets the knife in motion. Also it is an object of the invention to construct the knife so that it will cut or crease the stems so that they break at this point so when stemmed and at the same time will not sever the lamina of the leaf unless this should Y be also desired.

Further objects will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the leaf entry end of a stemming machine showing the timing device and stem cutting mechanism,

Figure 2 is a top View of the section of the machine of Figure 1, partly in section and parts broken away,

Figure 3 is a top view partly in section of detailed parts to lock the knife of the machine against backward movement,

Figure l is a side view of the adjustable coupling on the sprocket driving the knife,

Figure 5 is a side View of the actuating ratchet disc, I

In almost all tobacco stemming Figure 6 is a side View of the driving ratchet disc,

Figure 7 is a side view of the timing device in a difierent operating position than that of Figure 1, 1

Figure 8 is a side View of the lifting mechanism for the feeler, and

Figure 9 is a side view of one of the brackets.

The drawings show the mechanism for operating and timing the knife as applied to a known tobacco stemming machine such as for instance a machine shown in Patent No. 1,268,392, dated June 4, 1918.

Figs. 1 and 2 show the leaves 53 of tobacco being held by their stem butts between grippers 1 and 2 and pulled along over the machine bed 3 in the direction of the arrow by means of the usual chains 54 and 55. In this type of machine the tobacco is stripped from the stems by two cylindrical brushes, not

shown, which open to permit the passage of the grippers and close down behind them to act on the tobacco in the known manner as shown in the foregoing patent. This operation takes out the entire stem. It is, however, sometimes desirable to leave a certain amount of the stem in the tip of the leaves and to this end the following means are provided.

A knife blade 4, of equal or somewhat greater length than the gripping length of the grippers 1 and 2, is fastened by supports 5 to a shaft 6 which is suitablyjournalled on each side of the machine. Shaft 6 is driven from the shaft 9, which carries the front sprockets for the upper gripper chain 54, through sprockets 7 and 8 by means of chain 52 In its simplest form the'knife is driven continuously by sprockets 7 and 8 which are locked t9 their respective shafts, sprocket 7 being provided with the adjustable coupling 10 clamped thereto by screws 11, Figs. 2 and 4. The sharp edge of knife 4 is set radially so as to not quite touch the plate 12 which is fastened to the bed 3 of the machine Fig. 1. In operation the knife 4 makes two revolutions for each set of grippers passing under it and is so timed by the setting of the coupling 10 that it will crease the tobacco stems transversely and sharply at any desired distance behind the grippers. The second revolution is an idle one as the knife does not touch the tobacco. This creasing weakens or breaks the stems so that when the leaves of tobacco are pulled through the stemming brushes, not shown, the stems break. or separate where creased, and the tail or slender part of the stem is not removed from the leaf. In actual use the knife may be set so that the leafy part of the tobacco which is thin is not materially cut by the knife but thestems which are thicker'are creased or broken the desired amount. When weakening the stem transversely it is of course understood that this stem is creased although at times it may be out either partly or entirely.. The. knife timing can be. ad-

justed to take out a definite length of stem (measured from the heavy or butt end of the leaves) and maybe set to any desired length. This has not been done heretofore on machines-using brushes in the manner described. Since tobacco leaves vary considerably in length it can be seen that in partial stemming by machinemore stem will be left in long leaves than in short onesthis is undesirable as the manufacturer is concerned with what is left in the leaf as well as what is taken out. 7. He wishes to, leave in no stem over a certain size, and take out only thelarger portion as can be done by handwork.

In order to more nearly approximate hand Work a further refinement provides a timing device for automatically regulating the distance behind the grippers at which the knife is to crease or cut the stems. A feeler, 13, 1 1, 15, and 16,placed in advance of the knife, under which the tobacco passes, drops when the tip ends of the leaves pass from under it and actuates a timing mechanism which throws the knife driving gear into engagement. The relation between the knife and the feeler can be so adjustedthat the knife will cut at any desired'distance in front of the tip end of the leaves. p

The intermittent knife driving mechanism and its controlling feeler are constructed and operate as follows. t p

Feeler roll 13 is pivoted on pins 14 carried by two arms 15 rigidly attached to rod 16. Rod 16 is pivoted in brackets 17 and 58 which are rigidly attached to the machine frame, and has rigidly secured on one end arm 18, Figs, 2 and 8, with roller 19 on pin 20 and is oscillated downwardly by cam 21 which turns onstud 22 and is driven by gears 23 flndlQfi: from upper front sprocket shaft 9. Since this shaft 9 turns two revolutions forevery charge of tobacco leaves, gears 23 and 24.- are proportioned 2 to 1 so that cain 21 will oscillate rod 16 and arms 15 to the right, Fig. 8, once as each pair of grippers 1 and 2 pass under it. The shape of the cam 21 and its timing relative to the grippers 1 and 2 are r such that the feeler roll 13 islifted to" the right, Fig. 8, as the grippers 1 and 2 approach it and allowed to fall close behind them. A spring 25, Fig. 2, is provided on the shaft 16, one end secured on bracket 17 and the other end to the shaft to ensure the re turn of feeler roller 13 to its lowest position. The end of rod 16 opposite to that which carries arm 18 carries disk 26 which is firmly clamped to it as shown, Figs. 1 and 2. Pin 27 in disk 26 operates a finger 28 as will be described. Spring 25 always tends to keep rod 16 so that arms 15 are vertical and the feeler roller at the closest point to the bed of the machine.

Knife driving sprocket 8 is free to rotate on shaft 9 and has a driving pawl 29 pivoted on stud 30 which is fastened to sprocket 8. Spring 31 fastened to pawl 29 and passing under pin 32 tends to force'pawl 29 into engagement with the teeth of the driving ratchet 33 which is keyed to shaft 9. An actuating ratchet 31 is also keyed to shaft 9. Hook 36 is pivoted on pin 37 fastened in bracket 17 and normally holds pawl 29 out of engagement so that sprocket 8 and the knife stand still, Fig. 1. Hook 36 is prevented from falling below the position necessary to catch pawl 29 by stop 38 acting against the tail of the hook. A latch 39 is hinged to hook 36 by means of a pin 40. The lower end of the latch 39 is provided with a finger 28 hinged freely on pin 41 in the latch but a stop pin 42 prevents finger 28 from falling below the position so that its end will be in the path of pin 27 in disk 26. Latch 39 is also provided with a tooth 43 which can be engaged in the teeth of actuating ratchet 34 but is normally, Fig. 7, held out of engagement and back against the face of disk26 by spring 41 1.

Driving ratchet 33 has square cut teeth and the tooth of pawl 29 is made square so that once engaged it cannot overrun. Also in or der to lock the knife against backward movement when it is Stationary, a disk 15, which is a one tooth ratchet wheel, is fastened to sprocket 8 whereby it is engaged by pawl 46 hinged on pin 37 when the knife is at rest to thus prevent backward movement of the knife, Fig. 3.

As the grippers 1 and 2 with the charge of tobacco trailing behind approach roll 13 it is lifted by means of the cam 21, arm 18, rod 16 and arms 15 and allowed to descend gently upon the leaves of tobacco as the grippers 1 and 2 continue their movement. The tobacco holds the roll 13 in an appreciably raised position until the leaves 53 are just pulled from under it. Roller 13 then falls to its lowest position (at which cam roller 19 rests on the circular part of cam21.) As this position, Fig. 1', is approached pin 27 in disk 26 pushes the end of finger 28 and latch 39 and thereby engages tooth 13 of latch 39 with the actuating ratchet 3 1-. The latch is thereby raised and pawl 29 is released from hook 36. This sets the knife in motion through shaft 9, ratchet 33, pawl 29, stud 30, sprocket 8, chain '52, sprocket 7., shaft "6 and supports '5 to the knife blade 4. In the upward motion of latch 39, finger 28 slips over pin'27 and spring 44 pulls tooth 4'3 of the latch 39 out of engagement with actuating ratchet 34 allowing hook 36, latch 39 and finger 28 to fall back into position, the latch 39 against disk 26, Fig. 6. Whenpawl 29 has made one revolution it is caught again by hook 36 and the motion of the knife is stopped, the pawl 29 abutting against stop 56 on sprocket 8. The knife cannot start again until another charge of tobacco leaves has passed under feeler roll 13 and the cycle repeats itself. It is evident that the timing of the knife is made later or earlier according to the length of the tobacco leaves in each charge. Therefore thelength of stem taken out will be more in the case of long tobacco and less in the case of short tobacco. By changing the setting of coupling 1'0 the stationary position or starting point of the knife may be changed to leave more or less stem in the tobacco.

The following more clearly describes the operation and complete cycle of the device for setting the knife in motion: Disk 26 1s firmly attached to rod 16 and as this rod oscillates, pin 27, which is fastened to disk 26, moves in an arcuate path to and from theaend of finger 28.. The parts mentioned are so adjusted in relation to each other that pin 27 touches the end of finger 28 just before feeler roll 13 reaches its lowest position. In this manner, as the charge of tobacco is drawn along under roll 13 this roll descends according to the decrease in thickness of the to bacco charge, oscillating rod 16 and bringing pin 27 towards linger '28. When the tails of the leaves comprising the charge are finally pulled from under roll 13 it descends to its lOWGSt point causing pin 27 to push against the end of finger 28 swinging the latch 39 toward the actuating ratchet 3i .and causing tooth 43 to engage ratchet 34. Ratchet 34 lifts latch39, puts the knife in motiornand as finger '28 is raised with latch 39 it slips over pin 27 This permits spring 44 to pull'latch 39 back against disc 26. There being nothing to support it latch .29 falls back to its original position leaving finger 28 with its end on top pin '27 but free to drop when pin 27 moves back which it does when cam 21 oscillates rod 16 again.

Actuating ratchet disc 34 and driving ratchet disc 33 do not need to have teeth out completely around their circumferences and are therefore preferably made as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 with only such teeth which are needed to operate the knife within desired limits. This also ensures against accidental movement of the knife with possible damage to the machine.

The mechanism as shown on the drawings clude the sprockets 7 and 8,-the chain 52 and the knife and its coupling 10. aThe feeler and timing and controllingmechanism are omittedandthe sprocket 8v inthat case is mounted securely on its shaft 9.

I claim as my invention: I

1. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife for transversely weakening the leaf stems; a

feeler cooperating with the leaves; and an intermittent driving mechanismv cooperating with the feeler adapted to set the knife in motionwhenthe' tip ends of the leaves reach the feeler to weaken the'stems. at a predetermined distance from the tip ends of the leaves.

2. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife .for transversely weakening the leaf stems; a

feeler under which the leaves pass through the machine; and means adapted to be set in motion by the feeler when the tip ends of the leaves reach the feeler to set the knife in motion to weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the tip ends of the leaves.

3. In a tobacco stemming machine, an intermittent knife driving mechanism; and a control feeler adapted to set. the mechanism in motion when the tip ends of the tobacco leaves reach the feeler to transversely weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the tip ends by means of the knife.

4:. In a tobacco stemming machine, an intermittent knife driving mechanism; stem grippers for the tobacco; a control feeler in the path of the grippers adapted to set the mechanism in motion when the tip ends of the tobacco leaves reach the feeler to trans versely weaken the'stems at a predetermined distance. from the tip ends by means of the knife; and means for oscillating said feeler to permitthe passage of the stem grippers.

5. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife for transversely weakening the leaf stems; a feeler under which the leaves pass; a ratchet device for setting the knife in motion; and means for tripping the ratchet device actuated by the feeler when the tip ends of the leavesreach the feeler.

:6. In a tobacco stemming machine, a pair of sprocket. wheels; a knife driven by one of said sprocket wheels; a ratchet device secured tot-he other sprocket wheel; leaf grippers for the tobacco leaves; a feeler in the path of the grippers and under which the leaves pass and adapted to be oscillated to permit passage ofthe leaf grippers; and means op'eratedjby the feeler when the tip ends of the leaves pass under the feeler to trip the ratchet setting the sprockets in motion whereby the knife will transversely weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the tip ends of the leaves.

7. In a tobacco stemming machine a pair of sprocket wheels having a driving chain associated therewith; a knife driven by one of said wheels; a pair of toothed wheels associated with the other sprocket wheel; a feeler for the tobacco leaves; a catch pawl mounted on the last mentioned wheel and adapted to cooperate with one of the toothed wheels; a hook adapted tokeep the pawl out of contact with its cooperating toothed wheel; and means actuated by the feeler and driven by the other toothed wheel to release the hook from the pawl thereby setting the sprocket wheels and the knife in motion, said feeler actuating said means when the tip ends of the leaves pass under the feeler whereby the knife will transversely weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the tip ends of the leaves.

8. In a tobacco stemming machine, a pair of shafts arranged transversely in the ma chine; a sprocket wheel mounted on each shaft and having a driving chain associated therewith, one of said sprocket wheels being freely mounted on its shaft and the other being securely mounted on its shaft; a knife mounted on the shaft having the securely mounted sprocket; an actuating ratchet disc and a driving. ratchet disc securely mounted on the shaft having the freely mounted sprocket; a feeler pivotally mounted in the machine and under which the tobacco leaves pass; means for driving the free sprocket from the driving ratchet disc; means for keeping the first-named means inoperative; and means controlled and timed by the feeler and actuated by the actuating ratchet disc to release the first-named means by the secondnamed means when the tip ends of the tobacco leaves pass under the feeler whereby the knife will be set in motion to transversely weaken the stems of the leaves at a predetermined distance from the tip ends.

9. In a tobacco stemming machine, a pair of shafts arranged transversely in the machine; a sprocket wheel mounted on each shaft and having a driving chain associated therewith, one of said sprocket wheels being freely mounted on its shaft and the other being securely mounted on its shaft; a knife mounted. on the shaft having the securely mounted sprocket; an actuating ratchet disc and a driving ratchet disc securely mounted on the shaft having the freely mounted sprocket; a feeler pivotally mounted in the machine and under which the tobacco leaves pass; a catch pawl pivotally mounted on the free sprocket wheel and adapted to cooperate with the driving ratchet disc; a hook pivotally mounted and normally adapted to keep the pawl outof engagement with the driving disc; and means controlled and timed by 'thefeelcr and actuated by the actuating ratchet disc to release thehook from the pawl for rotatingfithe sprocket wheels and actuate the-knife when the tip ends of the tobacco leaves pass under the feeler whereby the knife will transversely weaken the stems ,of the leaves at a prede driving shaft; a feeler pivotally mounted in the machine and under which'the tobacco leaves pass; a spring pressed catch pawl pivotally mounted on the free sprocket wheel and adaptedto cooperate with thedriving ratchet disc; a hook pivotally mounted and normally adapted to keep the pawl out of engagement with the driving'disc; a latch pivoted on the hook and adapted to cooperate with the actuating ratchet disc; and means actuated by the feeler to move the latch into contact with the actuating disc which raises the hook and frees the pawl whereby the sprocket wheels and knife start revolving when'the tip ends of the tobacco leaves pass under the feeler whereby the knife will transversely weaken the stems of the leaves at a the tip ends. 7

11. In a tobacco stemming machine, a pair of shafts arranged transversely of the ma: chine, one of the shafts being a driving shaft; a sprocket wheel mounted on each shaft and having a driving chain associated therewith; the sprocket on the driving shaft 'being'freeiy mounted thereon and the other sprocket being securely mounted on the other shaft; a knife mounted on the shaft having the securely mounted sprocket and intermittently operated; an actuating ratchet disc and a driving ratchet disc securely mounted on the driving shaft; a feeler pivotally mounted in the machine and under which tl tobacco leaves pass; a spring pressed catch pawl pivotally mounted on the free sprocket wheel and adapted to cooperate wit-lithe driving ratchet disc; a hook pivotally mounted and normally adapted to keep the pawl out of engagement with the driving disc; a springpressed latch pivoted at one end t'o the hook and having a tooth adapted to cooperate with the actuating ratchet disc; and a'finger pivot ed on the other'en'd of the latch and actuated n'edetermined distance from by the feeler to force the tooth of the latch in en a ement with the actuatin ratchet disc P a; L to raise the latch and thereby the hook so that the pawl engages the driving ratchet wheel setting the sprockets and knife in rotation when the tip ends of the tobacco leaves pass under the feeler whereby the knife will transversely weaken the stems of the leaves at a predetermined distance from the tip ends. 7

12. In a tobacco stemming machine, a pair of shafts arranged transversely of the machine, one of the shafts being a driving shaft; a sprocket wheel mounted on each shaft and having a driving chain associated therewith, the sprocket on the driving shaft being freely mounted thereon and the other sprocket being securely mounted on the other shaft; a knife mounted on the shaft having the securely mounted sprocket and intermittently operated; an actuating ratchet disc and a driving ratchet disc securely mounted on the driving shaft; a feeler pivotally mounted in the machine and under which the tobacco leaves pass; a spring pressed catch pawl pivotally mounted on the free sprocket wheel and adapted to cooperate withthe driving ratchet disc; a hook pivotally mounted and normally adapted to keep the pawl out of engagement with the driving disc; a springpressed latch pivoted at one end to the hook and having a tooth adapted to cooperate with the actuating ratchet disc; a finger pivoted on the other end of the latch and actuated by the feeler to force the tooth of the latch in engagement with the actuating ratchet disc to raise the latch and thereby the hook so that the pawl engages the driving ratchet wheel setting the sprockets and knife in rotation when the tip ends of the tobacco leaves pass under the feeler whereby the knife will transversely weaken the stems of the leaves at a predetermined distance from the tip ends; and means actuated by the driving shaft to lift the feeler over a set of leaf grippers.

13. In a tobacco stemming machine, an intermittent knife driving mechanism; and a control feeler adapted to set the mechanism in motion when the tip ends of the tobacco leaves pass under the feeler so that the knife will transversely weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the ends of the leaves.

14. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife driving mechanism; and a feeler adapted to time the knife to transversely weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the ends of the leaves when the tip ends of the leaves pass under the feeler.

15. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife driving mechanism; a feeler adapted to time the knife to transversely weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the ends of the leaves when the tip ends of the leaves pass under the feeler; means for preventing backward movement of the knife; and means for raising the feeler to permit a set of leaf grippers to pass thereunder.

16. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife; means for driving said knife to transversely weaken'the stem of the leaves so that the machine will take out only a portion of the stem; and means for adjusting the knife to set the machine to take out the desired length of stem.

17 In a tobacco stemming machine; a knife; means for driving said knife transversely to weaken the stem of the leaves so that the machine will take out only a portion of the stem; anda coupling device associated with the knife for adjusting the knife to take out the desired length of stem.

18. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife driving mechanism; and means adapted to automatically time the knife to transversely weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the ends of the leaves before the stemming operation, 7 v

19. In a tobacco stemming machine, a knife driving mechanism; and means adapted. to time the knife to transversely weaken the stems at a predetermined distance from the ends of the leaves before the removal or separation of the blade portions from the stem.

20. In a tobacco stemming machine; a knife and driving mechanism therefor to transversely weaken the stem before the final stemming of the blade portions of the leaves from the stem.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

CLAIBORNE W. GOOCH, JR. 

